Vehicle sales have been booming, almost back to pre-recession levels, but a lot more of those sales in this state are passenger cars.

For the first time ever, the percentage of cars sold is increasing at much faster rate than trucks or SUVs according to Bob Israel with the Louisiana Dealer's Association.

It's a first for a state that has always favored trucks and SUVs, and the shift may not be due to higher gas prices. "I would think it's not as much as because of hybrids or fuel economy, I just think the styling in passenger cars is tremendously better," Israel says and "When gasoline prices are high people just wait. They don't necessarily go out and buy real fuel efficient cars, they just don't buy anything waiting to see what happens."

And he says it's not just Toyotas and Hondas that are selling, but domestic cars that have been redesigned, which he calls significant.

Overall though, trucks still outsell cars in Louisiana.

And in this state he says sales seem to reflect Louisiana's economics are stronger than the national average. "We're a little head of the national average, somewhere about 12-13 percent over last year. But last year was a great year. So I would say dealers are happy and customers are happy."

Looking for a new car? Consumer Reports for the first time named Toyota's Prius as best value car overall.

Click here for best value cars from Consumer Reports.